Zhang Heng had always played the game in Sex and the City, and this was his first time visiting a different game checkpoint. Only then did he realize that the style of each checkpoint was quite different.
The atmosphere of the game checkpoint where the bartender lady was at was like the VIP lounge of an airport, but the checkpoint here was much more ambiguous. There was a scantily clad girl in each booth, and the decor was very similar to that of a Japanese custom shop. The lighting was dim, and the music was more psychedelic.
"You look unfamiliar, but you don't look like a newbie. Are you going home for the New Year? Is there anything I can help you with?" an uncle in beach pants stood up from behind the cashier with a cigarette in his mouth.
Other than the girls in the booth, he was the only person Zhang Heng could see clearly. If he was not mistaken, he was the person in charge of this checkpoint.
Unlike the bartender lady's cold demeanor, the middle-aged man was very friendly. He walked over, put his hand on Zhang Heng's shoulder, and said solemnly, "Since this is your first time here, please allow me to introduce you to our special player care service – First Love Heartthrob."
"This is an exclusive service only available at our checkpoint, and it only costs one point. When you see the beauties over there, stretch out your hands and say hello to them." The uncle gave Zhang Heng an encouraging look.
Unfortunately, the latter did not respond.
However, the uncle was not discouraged. Instead, he patted Zhang Heng's shoulder with too much force, and some cigarette ash landed on Zhang Heng's shoulder. "That's right. It's because we can't let go that young people miss out on many sincere relationships. This is a game for the brave, and every quest is full of danger. As players, we should enjoy ourselves. You don't want to suddenly remember that you haven't touched a girl's hand before you die, right? Or maybe there's something you haven't told the person you like. You might not be able to rest in peace, right?"
The uncle was so engrossed in the game that he seemed to have touched a soft corner of his heart. Tears even started to form in his eyes. "Now, our checkpoint has launched First Love Heartthrob to solve this problem. Look at all the princesses in front of you. Oh, no. You can choose your first love. Cindy, the older sister type."
The girl named Cindy waved at Zhang Heng.
"Bei Bei, the girl-next-door type. Do you feel the feeling of sunshine?" The girl named Bei Bei blew her gum.
"Jia Jia, the little wild cat type, special electric motor butt, my favorite, she will definitely give you the most unforgettable first love."
"…"
"Don't say anything. I know what you're thinking. Even if you're a veteran in love and have no regrets about your first love, they can still chat with you before you start the game. They can help you get through this torturous period together and help you adjust your mental state so that you can deal with the upcoming challenges. Trust me, your points will definitely not be wasted."
Zhang Heng finally found the opportunity to speak. "Actually, I'm not here to play games tonight."
A knowing look appeared on the uncle's face. "Is our service that famous? Of course, we welcome you if you just want to play. It's not impossible to take you out for the night, but the price …"
Zhang Heng had to interrupt the uncle to prevent the conversation from going in a strange direction. "I'm here to ask you to help me identify something."
Zhang Heng took out the eye accessory wrapped in two pieces of paper from his pocket.
"Identification? Oh, oh, wait a minute." The uncle returned to the cashier, rummaged around for a while, and muttered, "Where are the tule boxes that just came in? Where did you put them?"
The girl named Jiajia took out a lady's cigarette and put it in her mouth. She left the booth and walked to the cashier, picked up the lighter, and lit the cigarette in her mouth. After waiting for a while, she said to the uncle in beach pants who was lying on the ground, "Didn't you throw those broken boxes under seat number 4?"
After that, she spat the cigarette at Zhang Heng. "I like your watch. This is my phone number. You can bypass that idiot and contact me."
"Hey, I heard what you said. This is different from our original agreement," the middle-aged man in beach pants, who got up and went to the fourth booth to get the tulewood box, said in dissatisfaction.
"Don't be silly. We are not partners. You are the one who relies on us to earn game points for you, but we can live a good life anywhere in this era of entertainment."
The uncle's face darkened, and he muttered, "You win."
After that, he walked back with a bag of tule boxes and took the eye accessory from Zhang Heng. "There are a lot of things to do during the Spring Festival. The identification results will only be out in five days. Of course, you can also pay double the game points and choose the express service. It will be done as soon as tomorrow night, but you have to come and pick it up yourself."
The uncle seemed disappointed that Zhang Heng was not interested in the First Love Heartbeat service. However, seeing that there was another business coming to his door, he put on a professional performance and perked up.
"Normal is fine," Zhang Heng said. He came here to solve the problem of Tian Tian's family, and this item was an unexpected windfall. Now that the matter was basically over, he did not need to rush.
"Well, take my business card. We can keep in touch if there's anything you need. You can come to me if you need any services while living in this city." After that, the uncle winked at Zhang Heng. "Of course, you can contact me if you change your mind."
"I don't think that's possible." Zhang Heng took the business card, turned around, and left the game checkpoint.
After walking for a while and making sure that no one was following him, Zhang Heng turned back to his house, opened the door quietly, and lay down on his bed.
The next morning, Zhang Heng was awakened by the sound of the soybean milk machine. He washed his face and came out with a toothbrush in his mouth. Grandpa had already placed fried sugar cakes and fried dough sticks on the table, and the steaming soybean milk was ready to be served.
"Your parents will be back tonight. After we put up the Spring Festival couplets in the morning, we can go to the supermarket in the afternoon. Do you think we need anything at home?"
"Nothing. I think you've prepared enough. In fact, there's not much space in the refrigerator. Even if the world ends now, these things should be enough for the four of us to survive for a month," Zhang Heng said while brushing his teeth.
"Your grandmother always said that it's better to be prepared. Oh yes, I almost forgot. M beans. Your mother has loved eating them since she was a child. She eats at least three packets every New Year. I'll drive to buy them later."
"Grandpa, she is 44 years old."
"So what? In my eyes, she will always be a child."
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